Podcast
Lava Academy Podcast: Surtsey – The Island Born from Fire
In November 1963, a volcanic eruption broke through the Atlantic Ocean south of Iceland. Over the next three and a half years, it created Surtsey—one of the world’s youngest islands and an extraordinary natural laboratory.
In this episode of the Lava Academy Podcast, host Iain MacKinnon is joined by:
Hólmfríður Sigurðardóttir, Chairperson of the Surtsey Research Society.
Birgir Vilhelm Óskarsson, researcher at the Natural Science Institute of Iceland and board member of the Surtsey Research Society.
In this Episode
Discover how Surtsey rose from the ocean—and why it transformed our understanding of volcanic islands.
Birgir and Hólmfríður reveal:
How explosive encounters between magma and seawater created the island
How plants, birds and other life colonised completely barren land
Why seagulls triggered an explosion of vegetation
How human footprints became preserved in volcanic rock
What scientists are still discovering inside Surtsey
Why the Atlantic Ocean is slowly reclaiming the island
You will also hear what it feels like to stand on an island that did not exist within living memory—and why protecting Surtsey from human interference has made it so scientifically valuable.
Watch the episode on YouTube
Protected from the Beginning
Scientists quickly recognised that Surtsey offered an opportunity that could easily be lost. The island was declared a nature reserve in 1965, while the eruption was still underway.
Access remains strictly controlled. Only small groups of scientists and other authorised visitors may land on Surtsey, helping researchers study natural colonisation with minimal human interference.
This protection has created an uninterrupted scientific record extending over six decades. Today, Surtsey is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Surtsey Research Society promotes and coordinates geological and biological research connected with the island. It also publishes research reports and supports the facilities needed for scientific expeditions.
Learn more about Surtsey
The Surtsey Research Society website has a wealth of information about Surtsey.
Listen to the Full Episode about Surtsey
Surtsey is a story of creation, discovery and survival. It reveals how quickly new land can form, how resilient life can be and how even a young volcanic island can hold unexpected secrets.
Experience Iceland’s Volcanic Power
Surtsey may be accessible only to scientists, but you can still experience the extraordinary power of Iceland’s volcanoes at Lava Show.
See real molten lava flow before your eyes, feel its intense heat and learn how volcanic forces continue to shape Iceland. It is an unforgettable indoor experience—and the only live lava show in the world.
Plan your visit:
Experience Lava Show Reykjavík – See real molten lava in Iceland’s capital.
Experience Lava Show Vík – Encounter Iceland’s volcanic power on the South Coast.
